Tomei seeks record eighth term in Legislature

State Rep. Carolyn Tomei (D-Milwaukie), who represents Milwaukie, Oak Grove and parts of Southeast Portland in the Oregon Legislature, filed for re-election on Thursday.

After redistricting of House District 41 to include portions of Portland in 2012, the former Milwaukie mayor won her last race easily. She is the longest serving Democrat or woman in the Legislature, and only Rep. Bob Jenson (R-Pendleton) has more seniority.

During her tenure in the legislature since 2000, Tomei focused on securing funding for transportation projects such as the Portland/Milwaukie light-rail project and the Sellwood Bridge replacement. She was a chief sponsor of the Indoor Clean Air Act (to ensure smoke-free workplaces), and also led the effort to prohibit the use of handheld cell phones and texting while driving.

Looking forward, I will continue to fight for investments in education, mental health and public safety in our communities, Tomei said in a press release. We still have unfinished business in these areas, and I plan to be there to see that work done for our state.

Tomei was an original member of the NARAL Political Action Committee and has spent years fostering equal rights for women and minorities. She served as community mediator with Resolutions Northwest and was a founding member of both the Friends of Elk Rock Island and her neighborhood association, Island Station.

Currently, she serves as the chair of the Interim House Human Services & Housing Committee. She is also a member of the House Judiciary and Ways & Means committees.